I also like those paintings, Alice.

Nothing so creative here, at least when it comes to paying bills and de-cluttering my wallet. I did manage to pay off two regular monthly bills this month so it's down to about seven distinct bills. Sounds like a lot even that way, doesn't it? Two credit cards, the mortgage, the electric, water, Internet (with phone), paying off the television purchase just to pay something on time (with no interest) and I think that's it. I really have made progress with simplifying my finances over the last few months.

This evening I didn't simplify in the kitchen, though. After finishing the dishes I took two eggplants from the garden and roasted them out on the patio in the convection oven. And I set up the bread machine on manual to mix and knead a half batch (two cups of flour - six pieces) of dough for pita bread. I made baba ganoush using my garden eggplants, garlic, and parsley. I didn't grow the sesame seeds or the lemons for juice, but it is so nice when some of your ingredients go into the dish.

My son ate three of the pita without the dip, I ate two, with, and have one left for tomorrow. I may make another batch, but it sure heats up the kitchen to use the pizza stone, though that is the best way to make them. The dip and bread were heavenly, and entirely worth the effort.

I have to be up and out of the house early tomorrow, but I'm still a bit wired from all of the cooking. Stay cool, everyone, and enjoy those family memories as they present themselves!

SRS